Feeler mechanism for looms



A. E. RHOADES FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS s sheets-sheet 1 Filed Dec. 3l

5f ATToR/x/EY Jan. 13, i925. v l 1,523,235

` A.E.RHoADEs FEHLER MEGfHANIsM FOR LooMs 'Filed Deo. 5l, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY gi/ffm.

Jan. 13, 1925'.

A. E4 RHOADES FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS Filed Dec. ,51, 1923 .3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Mmmm. .www om. Lm,

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Patented dan. 13, 1925.,

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ALONZO E. RHOADES, 0F HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNO'R '10 DRAPER COR- PDRATION, OF HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, A GORPORATION OF MAINE.

FEELER/ MEGHANISM FUR LOOMS.

Application filed December 31, 1923. Serial No. 683,595.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ALONZO E. RHoADns, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hopedale, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented an improvement in Feeler Mechanisms for Looms, of which the following description,

- in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to feeler mechanisms for looms, and more particularly to vfeeler mechanisms of the intermittent type wherein the feeler is held in an inoperative position for periods of inactivity and is released from time to time to short periods o f activity.

ln feeler mechanisms of the intermittent type the means for holding the feeler in its inoperative position and for releasing it from time to time, has heretofore been contrived as a train of mechanical devices associated with some going part of the loom. In the present invention, however, the intermittent feeler mechanism is self-con tained, that is, all of the parts constituting the intermittent feeler are associated and arranged for cooperation as an entity and may all be connected to or disconnected from the loom frame without disassociation of any of the parts constituting the intermittent feeler mechanism.

1n accordance with the present invention, the feeler is mounted to enter the shuttle on a detecting beat to detect the condition ofthe filling during periods of activity and upon detection of substantial exhaustion of filling to initiate replenishment. Should a working supply of filling be present in the shuttle on a detecting beat, the present invention contemplates that the feeler shall be moved frontwar'dly by the filling into a retracted frontward position and there held, and that a further frontward movement shall be imparted to the lecler to remove it from contacting relation with the filling on detecting beats during periods of inactivity of the feeler.

The various features of the invention will best be made clear from. the following vdescription and the accompanying drawings of one good practical form thereof.

1n the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan View showing an intermittent feeler mechanism containing the present invention;

Fie'. 2 is a side elevation of the mechanism shown by Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the feeler mechanism of the present invention with the feeler in its frontward retracted position;

Fig. l is an enlarged detail showing certain features of the feeler mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation showing the feeler as having been moved frontwardly by a working supply of iilling and held in such frontward position by Ithe detent before the detent imparts a further frontward movement; and

Fig. 6 is a view similar to that of Fig. 5 showing the feeler as having been moved frontwardly an additional amount by the detent.

It has not been deemed necessary to herein show and describe the means for changing the loom operation, such, for instance, as the replenishing and stopping mechanism, because the details of such matters form no part of the present invention. In the intermittent feeler mechanism shown as embodying the present invention, the feeler is of the inclined type similar in this respect to the feeler of the Edward S. Stimpson, No. 1,309,226, July 8, 1919, but it is to be understood that the advantages of the present invention may he utilized and inani fested in other types of feelers.

The intermittent feeler mechanism of the present invention is self-contained, so that it may be applied to looms with the parts of the intermittent feeler mechanism associated and related for the performance of their intended functions.

As shown, the feeler stand 1 on which the parts of the intermittent feeler are supported or by which they are carried may be secured to the loom frame," as usual, by

means of a bolt 2 passing through a slot 8 formed in the feeler stand.

At the rear portion of the feeler stand is a slide t mounted in guideways formed by the rear portion 5 of the feeler stand for movement transversely of the loom. The slide 4 has detachably connected to it at the transmitter 7 which constitutes one element of a. train of mechanism for initiating replenishment of filling.

Extending through the slide 4 is the feeler S which passes through an opening 9 in the slide of somewhat larger dimensions than the feeler, and extending frontward the feeler is provided with the stem 10 which passesthrough a swivel block 11 mounted for rocking movement on the feeler stand, and between the swivel block 11 and the bridge 12 carried by the feeler is a spring 13 normally tending to move the feeler to its rearward feeling position. The bridge 12 has side portions 1-1 which, in the present instance, are shown as resting upon the feeler stand to support and guide the feeler. The feeler 8 maybe provided with the usual filling engaging end portion 15 which may be provided with teeth or a roughened surface.

The parts thus far described are shown as of the same construction and mode of operation as the similar parts in the Edward S. Stimpson patent hereinbefore mentioned and to which reference may be had for more fully detailed disclosures.

The frontwardly extending portion of the stem v10 of the feeler is provided with an adjustable collar 16 which may be secured to the feeler stem in adjusted position by a screw 17 or other convenient means. In accordance with the present invention, when the feeler is moved frontwardly by a working supply of filling on a detecting beat, it is to be held in its frontvvard position by a detent or holding member which, as will hereinafter' more fully appear, is itself given a further frontward movement to additionally withdraw the feeler frontwardly out of cooperating contact with the working supply of filling onV subsequent detecting beats while the feeler is maintained in its inactive position.

The feeler stand 1 has pivotally mounted thereon at 18 a rocker 19 to the upper portion of which is pivotally supported at 2O the feeler holding detent. In the present instance of the invention the detent has a. frontwardly extending end 21 and is no-rmally under the influence of a spring 22 tending to depress the end 21 of the detent into holding engagement with the collar 1G adjustably secured to the feeler and thereby hold the feeler in its frontward retracted position.

In accordance with the present invention, the feeler is to be Vheld in its inactive or frontward position for periods of time and then released for the performance of its feeling function during short periods of activity, and then again returned to its inactive or inoperative position, and to this end the feeler stand 1 has connected Vthereto a trip device for tripping 1the feeler and freeing it from the detent. In the present instance of the invention, the' feeler stand 1 has extending therefrom -an arm 23 which may be appropriately secured to the feeler stand by a bolt 24k, Fig. 1. Mounted in the end of the arm 23 is a dead shaft or stud 25 on Which is mounted the ratchet wheel 26 which car ries a lug or trip 27, the construction being such that as the ratchet wheel is stepped along in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 2, the lug or trip 27 will finally engage the side-projecting arm 28 secured to the end portion 21 of the detent and lift the detentV from engagement with the collar 16 on the feeler, thereby permitting the feeler to move to its rearward feeling position. The ratchet wheel 26 may be restrained from too full rotativemovement by any usual form of frictional means, such as a collar 29, which may be formed of fibrous material, the essentials inthis respect being Vthat the ratchet wheel 26 carrying the trip or lug 27 may be l stepped along to eventually free the feeler from the detent, as will'presently appear.

als hereinbefore stated, Vthe intermittent feeler mechanism of the present invention is self-contained, and an important feature in this respect is the means for actuatingV the trip device and its mounting, as Well as t-he mounting of the trip device on the feeler stand. Y

As shown, the feeler stand has at its rear portion a bearing30 which may be conveniently formed on the cap-plate 31, and

through thel bearing 30 passes the stem of a Y bunter 32. In the present instance of the invention, the bunter 32 is formed as an adjustable head portion secured to the stem 33 which extends frontwardly through the bearing 30, a spring 34 being interposed he.- tween the bearing and thev adjustable end 35 for normally forcing the bunter rearwardly.

Frontward of the bearing 30 the stem of the bunter, as at 36, is somewhat enlarged to form a` stopshoulder 37 limiting the rearward movement of the bunter under the ac tion the spring The bunter extends front wardly and may be variously contrived but in the present instance it is composed of a flattened portion or member 38 Fig. 2, extending through a bearing 3:9 formed on an uprightfl() secured to the feeler stand, and the front end portion of the member 33 is jiniovided with a pawl 41 adapted to engage the teeth of the ratchet 2,6 ,and step it along tooth by tooth, the rear end portion of the bunter being positioned for engagement by a part carried by the lay, so that on each beat-up movement of the lay .the bunter will effect movement of the ratchet wheel and trip device, until finally the lug 27 rising under the projection 28 from the detent disengages the detent from the feeler and permits the latter to move to its rearward feeling position.

As hereinbefore pointed out, it is one of the purposes of the present invention to withdraw the feeler to a position sufficiently carries the detent, to move the detent frontwardly, and with it the feeler which at the time is engaged with the detent.

In the present instance the rocker 19 carries a stop-shoe 43 which not only serves to limit the rearward movement of the rocker 19 but also as a bearing for the finger 42 which acts through the shoe 43 to move the rocker frontwardly about its pivotal support 18 against the stress of a light spring t 44 which may tend normally to move the rocker rearwardly.

The shoe 43 is provided with a slot 45 through which extends a pin 46 carried by the lug 47 extending frontwardly from the rocker 19, and in order to preserve the position of the shoe, the rocker has a projection or bearing 48 against which the rear edge of the shoe rests, while its front toe end portion 49 is adapted to ride along the upper surface 50 of the feeler stand.

From the construction thus far described, it will be apparent that when the feeler has been moved f'rontwardlv by a working supply of filling and is engaged by the detent 21 and the bunter 32 is engaged by a surface on the lay, such, for instance, as the front wall of the shuttle 51, the finger 42 will bear against the upper portion of the stop-shoe 43 and turn the rocker 19 frontwardly. Since the detent 21 is mounted on the rocker, it naturally follows that the detent will be moved frontwardly by the bunter an additional distance following its engagement with the collai 1G of the feeler, and consequently the feeler will be withdrawn to an additional f'rontward position.

lVhen the rocker 19 has been turned frontwardly about its pivotal support 20, as described, it is locked in such f'rontward position, and as one means to this end the detent 21 has a rearwardly extending arm 52 which is adapted to engage in front of a shoulder 53 carried by a locking arm 54 which is pivotally supported at on the upper end portion ot a bracket 56 which may be secured to the f'eeler stand substantially as indicated in Fig. 3. The locking arm 54 has a frontwardly extending portion 57 which is normally under the infiuence of a spring 58 tending to move the shoulder 53 in a. downward direction to engage the end 52 of the detent when the latter is moved frontwardly by the rocker 19 as the latter is itself moved frontwardly by the bunter. Thus, when the deten-t is moved frontwardly by the bunter, the rear end 52 of the detent will engage the shoulder 53 of the locking arm 54 and the detent and feeler will be locked in their frontward inoperative position.

vWhen the detent is tripped from engagement with the feeler, as indicated in Figs. 2 and 5, the end 52 of the detent is disengaged from the locking arm 54 and the rocher 19 is freed to turn about its axis 18 in a rear- Ward direction under the impulse of the light spring -hereinbefore described. The rocker will thus move lrearwardly until the toe end portion 49 of the stop-shoe 43 riding upon the surface 50 of the feeler stand, with the pin 47 in the lower end of the slot 45, will arrest the rocking movement of the rocker. The part 43 and its associated connections with the rocker forms one good practical form of a lock for limiting the rearward movement of the rocker but it is apparent that it may be variously contrived, the essentials in this respect being merelv that the rocker 19 be limited in its rearward movement.

The locking arm 54 has associated with it a stop 59 against which the front end 57 of the locking arm 54 bears under the action ot the spring 58.

From the construction described it will be apparent that the intermittent feeler mechanism constructed in accordance with the present invention is self-contained and the parts are associated and related to each other and mounted on the same support such that the intermittent feeler mechanism as a whole, together with the trip device, may be bodily applied to or removed from a loom as an entity.

It has not been deemed necessary herein to illustrate the lay and its associated parts. but as indicated in F ig. 3, the shuttle 51 carries the usual filling carrier or bobbin 60 and has an opening 61 through which the feeler extends to feel for the filling. As shown, the rear end 32 of' the bunter is constructed and arranged to engage the front wall of the shuttle on its detecting beat, in order to impart the step-by-step movement to the ratchet and trip device, but it will be apparent that any other part carried by the lay may be utilized for this purpose.

i When a working supply of filling is present in theA shuttle on a. detecting beat and the feeler is in its rearward feeling position, it will be moved trontwardly by the filling until the end of the detent 21 engage/s the rear of the collar 16 on the feeler and the bunter by engagement with a part on the lay, such as the shuttle. will be moved frontwardly to actuate the rocker on which the detent is mounted to thereby cause the feeler to be moved frontwardly an additionai amount, thereupon the parts will be locked by the locking arm 54. On subsequent beatup movements of the lay, the bunter will lui) for looms, the combination of a feeler, a detent for holding the fceler in a frontward position, means for freeing the feeler from the detent at intervals, a bunt-er for operating said means and itself actuated by a surface on the lay, a part connected to the bunter for imparting a frontivard movement to the detent when engaged with the feeler for withdrawing the feeler further front- Ward, and a support common to all of said parts,

1,1. In an intermittent feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler mounted for movement towards the front of the loom by the filling in the shuttle, a bunter adapted to be struck by a surface on the lay, means operated by the bunter to move the feeler to a further frontward position. beyond the reach of the filling on detesting beats, a device for holding the feeler in said position duriiig its periods of inactivity, and means for freeing the feeler at intervals that it may have periods of activity and inactivity during Weaving With the same supply of filling in the shuttle.

l2. In an intermittent feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler to detect the condition of the filling in the shuttle and call for replenishment of filling When the filling is substantially exhausted, a bunter which is moved frontwardly by a surface on the lay constructed and arranged to move the feeler to a position 4beyond the reach of the filling on detecting beats, a device for holding the feeler in its frontward position beyond the reach of the filling that it may not touch the filling during its periods of inactivity, and means for freeing the feeler from Said device at intervals that it may have periods of activity and inactivity during Weaving with the same supply of filling in the shuttle.

13. In an intermittent feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler, a bunter adapted to be struck by a surface on the lay, means actuated by the bunter to move the feeler to a frontward position beyond the reach of the filling on a detecting beat, a device for holding the feeler in said position during its periods of inactivity, 1

means for freeing the feeler at intervals that it may have periods of activity and inactivity during Weaving with the same supply of filling in th-e shuttle, and a fceler stand upon which the feeler, bunter, device, and fsaid means are mounted for application to a loom and a self-contained unit.

14. In an intermittent feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler, a device for holding the feeler in a frontward position, a bunter actuated by a part on the lay, means operated by the bunter as it is moved frontivardly for causing said device to move the feeler beyond the reach of the filling on detecting beats, and means for freeing the feeler from said device at intervals.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

ALONZO E. RHOADES. 

